Carl Ikeme kept Wolves’ 25th clean sheet of the season, one of six club records to be broken along with most points, consecutive wins, most overall wins, most away wins, and least away goals conceded... as well as setting the all-time third tier points record of 103.

Wolves became the best third tier team in history after strolling to a 3-0 win against Carlisle, who were relegated.

Captain Sam Ricketts after five minutes, Michael Jacobs (23) and Nouha Dicko’s 12th goal of the season on 56 gave Kenny Jackett’s League One champions the win they needed to overhaul Charlton’s 101-point record and finish on 103, the most ever at this level.

Wolves were in control throughout and could have scored many more goals as Dicko twice, Ricketts and substitute James Henry went close to adding to their tally. Carl Ikeme kept Wolves’ 25th clean sheet of the season, one of six club records to be broken along with most points, consecutive wins, most overall wins, most away wins, and least away goals conceded. Jackett made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 away to Coventry last week. Sam Ricketts, Bakary Sako and Nouha Dicko replaced Matt Doherty, James Henry and Liam McAlinden, who all dropped to the bench where Leon Clarke returned after missing the Sky Blues game with a groin injury. Wolves, attacking the Stan Cullis Stand end, started in bright sunshine in front of a packed and colourful Molineux. Many fans were waving gold and black flags, while there was a new Toaster Wolves banner hanging from the South Bank balcony proclaiming ‘Ours Again’ in recognition of the team winning League One – the club’s 10th title. The home side dominated the first half and deservedly moved into a two-goal lead which could have been more. Lee Evans had the first attempt after three minutes but his shot had the sting taken out of it by a deflection and keeper Jordan Pickford was able to collect. Wolves fans didn’t have long to wait to celebrate a goal as they took the lead in the next attack. Ricketts took possession and cut inside from the right before unleashing a low, left-foot drive that bounced off the turf and nestled into Pickford’s near post. It was his second successive goal at Molineux after opening his account in the 6-4 win against Rotherham on Good Friday. Kevin McDonald saw a drive blocked from just outside the box on eight minutes before Carlisle’s first attempt, with David Amoo fired woefully wide on the counter-attack three minutes later. Lee Miller looped a header well over from James Berrett’s corner on 13 but Wolves again showed a clinical edge by doubling their lead midway through the half. Not for the first time, Jacobs showed tremendous spring to plant a towering header in off the post from six yards out after Dicko failed to get to Bakary Sako’s cross for his eighth goal of the season. Carlisle had been very much second best and finally gave Ikeme something to do eight minutes before the break when Matt Robson advanced from the left-back position and let fly with a firm angled drive from the edge of the box. But it flew straight into the arms of Ikeme. The goalmouth action switched to the other end where Dicko had two chances to make it 3-0 before half-time, both set up by the excellent Ricketts. First he failed to connect properly with a falling volley, then he should have buried a centre as Carlisle’s defence parted on the edge of the six-yard box, but instead volleyed well over the bar.

The visitors, who swapped David Amoo and Danny Redmond for Pascal Chimbonda and Sam Byrne at half-time, started the second half looking sharper. But it was Wolves who continued to look more dangerous and carve out the better chances after taking a while to get going again. The unmarked Dicko headed inches wide from six yards out from Scott Golbourne’s cross after Sako ran at the defence. Miller allowed Wolves to regroup after he checked inside and Ricketts blocked his shot after he advanced into a threatening position. But Wolves soon made their possession count again when they made it 3-0. Dicko slammed home a first-time shot from eight yards out after Golbourne’s sidefooted effort was palmed away following Sako’s cross. Dave Edwards was given a standing ovation as he made way for James Henry in the 65th minute, and you can’t help thinking this won’t be the last we see of the out-of-contract midfielder. Wolves continued to dominate as the Mexican waves rolled around a carnival-like Molineux, and the team were guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net at times. Evans finally lashed wide at the end of one intense period of pressure in the 68th minute, before the outstanding Ricketts saw a shot blocked after cutting inside. Ricketts was then the central figure in an attack that saw him steaming into the box unmarked to latch onto a backheel by Jacobs to set up Dicko but the striker couldn’t squeeze in a shot with his back to goal and a defender and Pickford for company and the keeper collected.

Dicko became the second player to receive a standing ovation when he was replaced by Clarke in the 80th minute.

BBC

Carlisle were relegated as League One champions Wolves set a new all-time third-tier points record of 103. Wolves skipper Sam Ricketts carved an early lead after cutting inside to let fly into the bottom corner. Michael Jacobs doubled Wolves' lead before the break after heading Scott Golbourne's cross in off the post. Wolves' points haul eclipses the previous record of 101 set by Charlton Athletic in the 2011-12 season. Nouha Dicko wasted a couple of chances for Wolves before eventually making it 3-0 when he rattled a strike into the roof of the net. That enabled the January transfer window signing to edge in front of Bakary Sako and Leigh Griffiths (who departed for Celtic three months ago) as Wolves' leading league scorer this season, on 13 goals.

Carlisle's defeat completed an awful end to their spell in English football's third tier, having won just once in 15 games.

Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 3, Carlisle United 0. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Scott Golbourne. 54:22 Attempt blocked. Lee Miller (Carlisle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 53:40 Attempt blocked. Sam Byrne (Carlisle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 52:24 Attempt missed. Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. 49:31 Attempt saved. Liam Noble (Carlisle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. 48:13 Nouha Dicko (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 48:13 Foul by Reece Brown (Carlisle United). 47:57 Attempt missed. Sam Byrne (Carlisle United) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. 46:58 Attempt missed. David Symington (Carlisle United) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick. 46:19 Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card. 46:00 Foul by Danny Batth (Wolverhampton Wanderers). 46:00 Lee Miller (Carlisle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45:00

League One champions Wolves gained their 100th point of the season but need to win their last game of the season against Carlisle to gain points record for the division outright after a 1-1 draw against Coventry.

In a game of few clear-cut chances, Dave Edwards’s ninth goal of the season six minutes from time was cancelled out within 60 seconds by Nathan Delfouneso. Kenny Jackett’s side were a few notches below the high tempo performances that have carried them to the title in a fairly uneventful but even game that saw Wolves come within a point of Charlton’s 101-point milestone of 2011-12. The recalled Liam McAlinden should have done better with two chances and Michael Jacobs and Danny Batth forced saves from Joe Murphy, while Carl Ikeme didn’t have a stop to make after his heroics at Leyton Orient. Jackett made four changes to the side that beat Orient 3-1 on Easter Monday as he rested his captain and two top scorers. Back came Matt Doherty, James Henry, Lee Evans and McAlinden at the expense of skipper Sam Ricketts, Jack Price, Bakary Sako and Nouha Dicko, who all dropped to the bench. Sako was celebrating his 26th birthday at the ground where he scored a belter on his Wolves debut.

It was an even first half which got off to a slow start and Coventry’s former Villa striker Delfouneso had the first chance, rifling just wide from 25 yards after 12 minutes. Three minutes later came Wolves’ first opening but McAlinden could only guide his header straight at ex-Albion and Walsall keeper Murphy from Evans’s deep cross. Pacy winger Mark Marshall carved himself a half chance after twisting and turning inside Doherty but he could only lash high and wide from an angle in the 19th minute. There was an intriguing battle developing between Richard Stearman and 22-goal Callum Wilson and the former blocked a long-range effort from the latter on 25. Four minutes later McAlinden had another sniff of goal when he turned his marker but fired wide. Wolves’ best chance was their last one of the half in the 39th minute, when Jacobs – back at his old Northampton stomping ground – had Murphy parrying his 25-yard curling effort and Jordan Clarke made a vital clearance from the rebound ahead of Edwards rushing in.

Like the first period, the second took a while to warm up and Wolves had the first opening when Henry’s cross flew across goal to Golbourne, who teed up Evans for a weak left-foot effort straight at Murphy on 51. Wolves brought on their French connection of Dicko and Sako on the hour for McAlinden and Jacobs. Sako immediately won the corner that saw the next Wolves opening when Batth’s header forced Murphy into a falling save from Henry’s flag-kick. But as the second half wore on, it looked increasingly like being a goalless draw with neither side creating clear-cut chances or getting on top. Cyrus Christie rifled a fierce effort across goal after the suspicion of a handball by Wilson on 68 minutes. Five minutes later, Sako cut inside from the left and rifled a fierce right-footed effort which flashed wide. John Fleck saw a well-struck drive headed away by Batth with Ikeme already committed to his dive on 75. Sako’s angled free kick was held at the second attempt by Murphy with Evans closing in to stab home. Then came the breakthrough when Edwards arrived late in the six-yard box to bundle home Sako’s excellent cross for his ninth goal of the season. But Wolves’ celebrations were barely over when Coventry equalised. It looked like sloppy defending as Delfouneso was allowed to guide a header down the centre of the goal from Marshall’s free-kick. The goals sparked a fairly uneventful game belatedly into life but neither team went on to force another chance.

Beeb

Coventry secured their place in League One next season with a vital point against champions Wolves. The first half proved a tight affair with neither side able to seriously test either goalkeeper. The breakthrough came six minutes from time when Dave Edwards slotted home Bakary Sako's cross. Wolves thought that was enough to win it but Danny Batth put a cross into his own net after pressure from Nathan Delfouneso. Wolves will break the division's points record if they win their final game, while the Sky Blues can enjoy their last match with thoughts of relegation behind them.

of the box is too high. 14:11 Attempt saved. Liam McAlinden (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. 11:13 Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Coventry City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. 6:03 Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Jordan Willis. 0:00

First Half begins.

Coventry defender Jordan Willis (knee) is a doubt and midfielder Franck Moussa is still sidelined with a back problem. Blair Adams is likely to play in place of Willis, should he miss out, with the Sky Blues seeking a first win in six to guarantee their survival in League One.

League One champions Wolves have no fresh injury concerns and Kenny Jackett could name an unchanged side. A win would surpass the 101-point record of Fulham and Charlton for the third tier.

"I think the last game that we played against Wolves in the league was a terrific game of football and, with the level of support that day, a very good advert for the league. I have no doubt that this weekend will be similar. We have to get the right result to ensure our League One status and that's what we'll be doing.

Leyton Orient 1 Wolves 3 - Wolves clinched the League One title today with a flattering 3-1 win at Leyton Orient.http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2014/04/21/leyton-orient-1-wolves-3-match-report/Although Richard Stearman (17), Bakary Sako (32) and an injury-time belter from substitute James Henry scored, a superb display of goalkeeping from Carl Ikeme was behind Wolves’ 30th victory of the season and a club record 14th away victory. The keeper produced numerous superb saves while Orient had an effort disallowed and twice hit the bar.

The title is Wolves' 10th in their club history and their first since 2009 when they won promotion from the Championship to the Premier League under Mick McCarthy.

The Wolves mascot was London Wolf Tommy Turner who was accompanied by member John Webb who had nothing but praise for the way Tommy was looked after by the team, especially Captain Sam Ricketts and manager Kenny Jackett , by Leyton Orient and What House, Wolves shirt sponsors More pictures are on the Member Pix page here

Sako shook off the tight hamstring the forced him off after 70 minutes of that game to take his place in a side that showed one change from the starting line-up that beat Rotherham 6-4 on Good Friday with Jack Price returning for Lee Evans in midfield. Orient were quick out of the blocks and David Mooney had a chance from a dipping volley after just 15 seconds but he got his angles all wrong and it flew well wide. Wolves were next to show and Kevin McDonald tried his luck with a curling shot after six minutes

that keeper Jamie Jones made a falling save to his left to smother. The visitors then went ahead to take some of the sting out of Orient when Ste

arman headed home after Danny Batth got across his man to head Michael Jacobs’s corner across goal. Wolves remained dangerous on the break and Sako forced Jones into another diving save with a 25-yard drive in the 25th minute. Orient should have been level a minute later but the unmarked Mathieu Baudry headed over from six yards out from Dean Cox’s cross. It looked like Wolves got away with a huge penalty shout in the 28th minute when Stearman handled in the box. The whole of the home support appeared to shout for a spot-kick, but the one man whose opinion mattered, referee Neil Sawrbrick, waved play on. And within four minutes, Wolves doubled their lead when Sako guided home a first-time shot off the inside of the keeper’s left-hand post after helping on a throw-in to Nouha Dicko, who teed him up. Orient captain Nathan Clarke was booked for a late tackle on Dicko on 39 before the home side ended the first-half with a flourish. Mooney forced a fine low save from Carl Ikeme after cutting inside Batth on 40 before the Wolves keeper acrobatically tipped over Clarke’s header from Cox’s corner three minutes later. Mooney then flashed a header wide under pressure from Cox’s corner before Orient finally had the ball in the net on the stroke of the end of normal time at the end of the first half. Chris Dagnall headed home from almost on the line after Romain Vincelot won a towering header only to see it crash off the bar, but the effort was disallowed as the striker was offside.

Orient started the second half as they had finished the first – on the attack. Dagnall and Mooney forced Ikeme into fine reaction saves but Wolves couldn’t keep them out and Cox halved the deficit when he sidefooted home a loose ball from 15 yards after Ikeme couldn’t make the catch from a deep cross under fierce pressure then the defence failed to clear. Wolves weathered the storm however to attack through Michael Jacobs and he saw a penalty shout waved aside when Clarke blocked off his run on 53. Dicko then tried to find an unusual route to goal when he flicked the ball across box despite being grounded but no one could apply the finishing touch. Mooney wasted a chance on the half volley when his effort flew well over after John Lundstram challenged Ikeme. Wolves gradually began to look threatening again on the break and Dicko’s early volley on the run was clawed out of the air in acrobatic style by Jones on 63. Dave Edwards then saw a fierce, angled volley palmed away by bthe Orient keeper after Price split the defence five minutes later. But Wolves were indebted to Ikeme in 72nd minute after two breathtaking saves in between Shaun Batt heading against the bar. The latter brave save, coming as Batt slid in and Ikeme flung himself to his right, left the keeper with blood streaming from his nose and play was briefly held up to allow him treatment.

Wolves' crowning moment - match analysisNow they can celebrate with the trophy! Wolves might have had to wait a couple of hours to be declared champions – but it was only confirmation of what we’ve known for a few months now. That the securing of the title took MK Dons (penalty Stephen Gleeson, late equaliser Izale McLeod) to deny Brentford victory with a 2-2 draw didn’t matter for the celebrating players and supporters. We’ve known it since this emphatic run got into the gear in January, and 16 wins in 19 games later, the evidence is there for all to see. Kenny Jackett’s side are by some way the best side in League One this season, and, as their points total reflects, one of the most superior teams at this level for some time. In that dizzying spell of goals and victories, Jackett’s boys have hit the net 47 times and conceded just 11.

Wolves crowned League One ChampionsLeyton Orient 1 Wolves 3 - match report and picturesAs overworked keeper Carl Ikeme said afterwards, it’s not always been as easy as the league table or those statistics now suggest. There have been many times when fine marginal decisions have swung games one way or the other. But at almost every turn since that miserable defeat at Gillingham on January 3, Wolves have found a way to win. Few have been as tight as none so flattering as this one, however. But this was a time when other heroes for so long in the shadows emerged to show why they are the best at their jobs in the division. So, step forward, Ikeme. Not too many games stand in the memory when he’s played such a pivotal role – Blackpool away last season and Bradford away this campaign maybe. But yesterday the 27-year-old shot-stopper combined agility with bravery of the highest order to prove himself as arguably the best outside the Premier League. Indeed, the presence of the Sky TV cameras gave him the platform to be measured against the best. And the last of the home-grown triumvirate that included Matt Murray and Wayne Hennessey produced a performance that deserved comparison alongside the finest in the land. If Ikeme showed he belongs at a higher level, then there were again plenty of convincing signs that Wolves do too, having evolved and flourished under a style of play built to last for years to come. Long before Ikeme’s heroics, they showed the swagger that has carried them to the summit and kept them there with some sublime passing and possession football that had Molineux favourites Don Goodman and Andy Thompson purring in appreciation of the transformation undertaken of their old team by Jackett and Co. Transformation certainly isn’t too strong a word for the changes that have taken place not just this season but even since these sides last met. Back in December, Orient were top dogs while Wolves trailed them; yesterday’s victory meant the distance between them is now 19 points. Wolves have taken 50 points out of the last 57 available; Orient have taken 26. Such a gulf wasn’t visible at the Matchroom Stadium yesterday as the Os snapped away at Wolves like terriers in a no-holds-barred encounter, but the visitors showed for the umpteenth time why they are where they are. Yes, you can argue things went their way – none more so than when Richard Stearman’s clear handball in the penalty area was missed by referee Neil Swarbrick after 28 minutes when they were 1-0 ahead. Not for the first time this season did a decision go for them, but full marks to them for making the most of their opportunity. Four minutes later, Bakary Sako struck to make it 2-0 to finally draw level with long-departed Leigh Griffiths at the top of the club scoring charts. And thereafter there was a certain inevitability about the outcome. By then Stearman had nodded Wolves in front after Danny Batth got across his man at full stretch to power a header across goal from Michael Jacobs’ 17th-minute corner. Two goals ahead, you might have been forgiven for thinking Wolves could have eased up a little. But that is not Jackett’s way and it certainly wasn’t the way the game was going. Perhaps as a gesture to their own admirable but flawed title hopes, Orient were like a dog with a bone and tore at the visitors’ defence either side of half-time. It could argued that Ikeme had won the man of the match award by the interval after two smart saves, first denying David Mooney after he cut inside and finished with a low effort, then tipping over Nathan Clarke’s bullet header from Dean Cox’s corner. As Orient’s pressure reached its zenith on the stroke of half-time, Chris Dagnall’s effort was correctly disallowed for offside after Romain Vincelot’s towering header crashed down off the bar following another Cox corner. Relieved to get to half-time just as Orient had built up a head of steam, Wolves had little respite, and, instead of trying to build on their lead, were quickly forced back as Orient hit them with wave after wave of attacks. And after Ikeme foiled Dagnall and Mooney within the opening minute of the restart, it was little surprise when Cox sidefooted home to halve deficit 60 seconds later after Wolves failed to clear a high ball into the box. At this point, many teams might have crumbled. But this is perhaps where Wolves showed the look of champions. With Ikeme at his imperious best and with Kevin McDonald pulling the strings in midfield, they weathered the storm and came out fighting. Nouha Dicko got up off the ground to hook across goal when he might have gone for it himself, before forcing keeper Jamie Jones into an acrobatic save with an angled volley struck early on the run. In between, Wolves had another let-off when Mooney sliced well over with the goal gaping. But in an end-to-end period, the visitors could have extended their lead when the tireless Dave Edwards’ vicious angled volley was tipped away. Then came more heroics from Ikeme, and the keeper excelled himself as he first diverted substitute Shaun Batt’s effort away, was grounded for Batt’s follow-up header against the bar. He the somehow turned the ball away from Batt and Danny Batth, getting an accidental boot in the nose from the latter which left blood streaming from his face for his troubles. Thankfully for Wolves, that was Orient done as an attacking force, and with the visitors fortified by the fresh legs of Leon Clarke and particularly the lively James Henry, they saw the game out with little trouble. Indeed, Henry’s 30-yard drive that ripped past Jones in the sixth and final minute of time added on added the gloss. Wolves fans won’t care if it was flattering. They are champions and they’re on their way back.BBCGoalkeeper Carl Ikeme was the hero as Wolverhampton Wanderers took a big step towards sealing the League One title with a 3-1 victory at Leyton Orient.Ikeme made a number of vital saves to deny the home side after Richard Stearman's header and a Bakary Sako strike gave Wolves a two-goal lead.Dean Cox pulled a goal back just after half-time as Orient responded, but Ikeme continued to deny them.James Henry added gloss to Wolves' win with a third goal in injury time.Wolves will be champions if Brentford fail to win at MK Dons later on Monday - which is what happened thanks to one-time Wolves target Izale McLeod who won a penalty (which Stephen Gleeson converted) and then scored a last minute equaliser.Orient were denied a penalty in the first half after goalscorer Stearman looked to have handled David Mooney's shot in the 18-yard box, prompting manager Russell Slade to speak with referee Neil Swarbrick at the half-time whistle.They also hit the crossbar through Romain Vincelot and Shaun Batt, while a header by Chris Dagnall was ruled out for offside.LINEUP, BOOKINGS (4) & SUBS (6)Leyton Orient01 Jones05 Cuthbert03 Sawyer04 Vincelot Booked (James - 75' )06 Baudry15 Clarke Booked11 Odubajo24 Lundstram23 Dagnall (Batt - 66' )10 Mooney (Lasimant - 83' )07 CoxSubstitutes08 James12 Larkins14 Batt19 Lasimant20 Gorman25 Simpson29 NessWolverhampton Wanderers13 Ikeme18 Ricketts26 Golbourne19 Price Booked05 Stearman06 Batth27 Jacobs (Henry - 74' )11 McDonald Booked40 Dicko (Clarke - 74' )04 Edwards10 Sako (Evans - 83' )Substitutes02 Doherty07 Henry09 Clarke14 Evans20 McAlinden23 Ebanks-Landell31 McCareyRef: Neil SwarbrickAtt: 8,161MATCH STATS

Wolves 6 Dicko 21′, 34′, 80′ Edwards 38′ Ricketts 90′ McDonald 90′ Rotherham United 4 Agard 14′, 61′, 88′ Skarz 84′FT 90 +9HT 3-1Wolves seemed to think they'd had the game won at half time when 3-1 up but got a rude awakening from a motivated Millers side who fought back to 4-4 before extra time goals from super-cap Samuel and SuperKev sealed a 6-4 win and allowed Brentford to celebrate promotion.The Star Wolves 6 Rotherham 4 - match report and pictures here http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2014/04/18/wolves-6-rotherham-4-

match-report/

Nouha Dicko scored his first Wolves hat-trick as Kenny Jackett's side took a step closer to the League One title with a 6-4 win over Rotherham.Watched by 30,110 – Molineux’s biggest crowd for over 33 years - Dicko scored the first hat-trick of his career (20, 33 and 79) against his former loan club and was matched by The Millers' striker Kieran Agard (13, 61 and 88). Dave Edwards (38) made it 3-1 to Wolves but Joe Skarz (84) made it 4-3 before Agard’s treble levelled it only for Ricketts’s first for Wolves on 89 and Kevin McDonald in the six minutes of time added on sealed it. Wolves face potential FA fine as four pitch invasions overshadow Rotherham winWolves go to Leyton Orient on Monday lunchtime still needing up to four more points to seal the title after Brentford beat Preston 1-0.

Head coach Kenny Jackett named an unchanged line-up from the side that beat Crewe 2-0 last week to clinch promotion. The kick off was delayed for 10 minutes to allow the 30,000-strong crowd chance to get in safely after an accident on the M1 held up Rotherham fans. When the teams eventually emerged, Wolves were given a huge reception from a Molineux awash with colour. Wolves had a chance in the second minute when Edwards headed over from point-blank range from a Michael Jacobs free kick after the latter drove at the defence and was brought down by Nicky Adams. But Rotherham made the better start and Adams had a shot blocked for a corner after Wolves failed to clear Michael O’Connor’s free-kick. And it was from the resulting set-piece that Rotherham took the lead when Agard glanced home O’Connor’s flag-kick beyond the fingertips of keeper Carl Ikeme, who conceded for the first time in 391 minutes on his 100th appearance for the club. Wolves had some defending to do after the goal as Rotherham’s tails were up. But seven minutes after going behind, Wolves were level through a clinical finish form Dicko. The French striker stabbed home from almost on the line after Sako held off his man and crossed from the left following a pass inside right-back James Tavernier from Edwards. The equaliser settled Wolves down again and they remained the better side in possession, although they never lost their composure even when they went behind. Although they looked comfortable with the ball, Wolves were in ruthless mood in front of goal, with all three first-half goals coming from their only serious chances. And they went ahead for the first time when Dicko held off a defender to slot home right-footed from the edge of the six-yard box after Jacobs fed Sam Ricketts for a diagonal ball that

split the defence and left him with only keeper Adam Collin. Five minutes later Wolves extended their lead with a lovely goal crafted by Scott Golbourne. Exchanging a one-two with Bakary Sako, Golbourne cut infield and set off with a driving run which took him inside the area, where he slipped a neat ball through to Edwards, who calmly slotted home first time for his eighth goal of the season, third in as many games and fifth in seven. But if Wolves – who swapped Lee Evans for James H

enry at half-time - thought they had secured the points, they had another thing coming.

Nouha Dicko celebrated his first goal Milla-style and the man who lit up Bully’s world cup was on the pitch at half time. Also on at half time was a marathon record breaking team

Haris Vuckic saw an angled shot tipped over then headed straight at Ikeme as Rotherham started the second half trying to clzaw their way back into the game. And they didn’t have long to wait as Agard squeezed the ball home from a loose ball after Danny Batth headed it then lost the ball in the sun and Richard Stearman couldn’t get there to clear it. A great run from Ricketts saw the captain wriggle through via a lucky bounce and hit the inside of the post on 75, the ball evading Edwards, who was closest. But Wolves restored their two-goal cushion when Dicko completed his hat-trick, slotting home Edwards’s cross after the latter had broke onto Henry’s pass down the channel. Rotherham made it 4-3 with the first of four goals in the last six minutes when Joe Skarz got between Batth and the sliding Ricketts to volley home James Tavernier’s cross before Agard deflected home Tavernier’s shot to send Ikeme the wrong way to level and seal his hat-trick. But with both teams going end to end, Wolves broke to win it as Ricketts curled home a screamer from 25 yards after exchanging passes with Edwards then Dicko teed up McDonald to sweep home into the roof of the net for the sixth.

The Beeb saidWolves scored two last-gasp goals to beat Rotherham in an incredible game and close in on the League One title. Wolves looked to be coasting as Nouha Dicko's close-range double and a Dave Edwards strike saw them respond to Kieran Agard's early headed opener. Agard's second and Dicko's hat-trick goal made it 4-2 after half-time, but the Millers levelled late on through Joe Skarz and Agard's third. But a dramatic finale saw Sam Ricketts and Kevin McDonald shots earn victory.Brentford's win over Preston North End means Wolves still need four points to be certain of the championship, but because of their vastly superior goal difference one more victory will realistically be enough. Dicko's favourite fixture?Nouha Dicko has scored five times in the two meetings between Wolves and Rotherham this season, after netting twice for the Millers in a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture in December. His hat-trick was the first by a Wolves player since Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's treble in a 3-3 Molineux draw against Norwich City in February 2009.The hosts fell behind when Agard's header from Michael O'Connor's corner drifted past goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. But the Millers, who were already assured of their play-off place, were second best thereafter and could not cope with the attacking quality from Kenny Jackett's side. Dicko, who scored six goals in six games for Rotherham when on loan from Wigan earlier this season, stabbed home a cross from Bakary Sako to level and fired in a second from 10 yards. It was 3-1 when Scott Golbourne found Edwards, whose well-placed shot was his third goal in as many games. Agard's shot on the turn gave the visitors hope but that hope seemed to be quickly over as Dicko converted an Edwards cross for his treble. Rotherham came again and looked to have earned an unlikely point when James Tavernier's 84th-minute cross was volleyed in by Skarz and Agard completed his hat-trick four minutes later. But Wolves skipper Ricketts blasted home from 20 yards for the ninth goal of a remarkable afternoon's entertainment at Molineux. And McDonald completed the scoring from close range in time added on.LINEUP, BOOKINGS (6) & SUBS (6)Wolverhampton Wanderers13 Ikeme18 Ricketts26 Golbourne11 McDonald06 Batth Booked05 Stearman27 Jacobs14 Evans (Henry - 45' )40 Dicko Booked04 Edwards (Doherty - 92' )10 Sako (Price - 70' )Substitutes02 Doherty07 Henry09 Clarke19 Price20 McAlinden23 Ebanks-Landell31 McCareyRotherham United21 Collin27 Tavernier Booked03 Skarz Booked10 O'Connor (Hitchcock - 77' )20 Morgan04 Arnason Booked22 Agard Booked36 Smallwood09 Revell (Thomas - 65' )28 Vuckic (Pringle - 69' )37 AdamsSubstitutes01 Shearer02 Brindley05 Davis15 Milsom18 Pringle26 Thomas35 HitchcockRef: Fred GrahamAtt: 30,110MATCH STATS

League One honours raceWolves need seven points from four games to win the title - but if they win and Brentford lose at home to Preston, they will be League One champions in all but name, because of their vastly superior goal difference. If Rotherham do not win and Orient lose, Brentford will be promoted if they win.

Promoted Wolves are expected to be unchanged at Molineux as they look to cement their hold on the League One title against Rotherham United.After clinching promotion at Crewe last weekend, if Wolves win and Brentford lose, they would be champions barring a series of mathematical improbabilities.

Steve Evans's Rotherham may bring back fit-again midfielder Lee Frecklington. Mark Bradley (knee) is the only absentee, but Evans could make changes with next month's play-offs in mind. Rotherham are already guaranteed a play-off place, but trail second-placed Brentford by eight points.

Wolves had to come from behind to draw 3-3 at Rotherham when the two sides met in December. Nouha Dicko scored twice for Rotherham in his final game on loan for the Millers from Wigan Athletic, prior to making his return to Molineux on a permanent deal three weeks later.

Rotherham manager Steve Evans told BBC Radio Sheffield:"Lee is fit, but people will have to wait to see if he plays at Wolves. If people are 95% fit they're not ready. We have the Bank Holiday fixtures to get over with, and then we'll be ultra, ultra serious about getting ready for the play-offs, but in the meantime we have to be totally respectful of the matches we play. Wolves are deserving champions, but we want to go there and put on a performance and show the Wolves fans just how good their team must have been to have finished in front of Rotherham United."42 Saturday 12th April 15:00 Crewe Alexandra 0 Wolves 2 McDonald 45' Edwards 66' Wolves PromotedrCrewe 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 McDonald 45' Edwards 66'FT 90 +3HT 0-1KO 15:07 12 April 2014

Wolves have been promoted to the Championship after beating Crewe Alexandra 2-0.Kenny Jackett has guided his side to promotion after picking up 93 points in League One this season. Midfielder Kevin McDonald scored shortly before half-time to give Wolves the lead at the break. Dave Edwards added the second of the day in the 66th minute to seal promotion for Wolves. Promotion sees Wolves return to the Championship at the first time of asking. The club picked up 28 wins on their way to promotion including a record-breaking nine-game consecutive winning streak.

E&S http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2014/04/12/crewe-0-wolves-2-wolves-promoted-back-to-championship/Kevin McDonald (45) and Dave Edwards (66) scored the goals that started the celebrations in a match where Chuks Aneke was sent off at half-time for violent conduct for elbowing Richard Stearman in a retribution challenge. Many of the 2,254 Wolves fans flooded the pitch in celebration as the final whistle sounded. And with victory came promotion and more club records – most points (93), most clean sheets (24) and equal most overall wins (28) and away successes (13). Jackett made one change to the team that beat Peterborough 1-0 last week. Back came Lee Evans for Jack Price, who dropped to the bench, where James Henry made his return in place of Eusebio Bancessi.Wolves made a solid start, trying to get their passing game going on a heavy surface that was watered prior to kick-off. But it was Crewe who had the first opening in the 11th minute - and it was all the visitors’ doing. Stearman’s clearance was poor and went straight to Anthony Grant, who quickly found Aneke. But the powerful Crewe striker’s shot was weak and straight at Carl Ikeme, who had darted from his line to smother. Stearman was then lucky to stay on after a two-footed late lunge on Aneke, which the referee missed and the Crewe striker required lengthy treatment before returning to action. And it was an incident which was to have later repercussions. Although Wolves were bossing possession, their only efforts were restricted to set-pieces. Bakary Sako, who appeared to have had a red tint put in his hair, had two free kicks from 25 yards but bounced the first one wide of the far post from an angle in the 16th minute. Then he forced a falling save from keeper Ben Garratt seven minutes later. Crewe gradually worked their way into the game and there were some nervous moments, with several crosses flying in. But luckily for Wolves, they were overhit. Three minutes before the break, Michael Jacobs headed wide Dave Edwards’s cross at the far post after Wolves had built up a head of steam again. But after creating so few chances, the goal still came as something of a surprise. Lee Evans fed McDonald with a short pass on the right and the t

all Scot took a touch inside and dummied his man before firing a low left-foot shot that took a deflection before nestling in the far corner of the net. There was more drama right on the half-time whistle when Aneke, seeking retribution for his earlier clattering, caught Stearman around the back of the head with his elbow and was sent off. The Crewe striker had already disappeared down the tunnel after the fracas which saw several players get involved, but was called back by the referee to earn his early bath.

Crewe brought on Liam Nolan for George Evans at the break, but it was Wolves who made all the running. Sako’s curling effort was deflected behind on 53, brushing the sidenetting. Then Edwards had two efforts, hitting a rising left-foot drive a foot over on 57 then forcing a falling save from Garratt with a right-footed drive six minutes later. Then he got it third time lucky with a shot from closer range in a crowded box to double Wolves’ lead. Edwards rushed to celebrate with the fans on the far side and some spilled on to the pitch in jubilation before order was restored and James Henry replaced Sako on 68 minutes. Scott Golbourne with a volley forced Garratt to gather at the foot of the post on 70 before Crewe finally threatened again when substitute Billy Waters forced Ikeme into a routine falling save from long range on 77 before Evans did the same with an early strike at the other end seconds later. But it didn't matter as Wolves won, promotion was assured and the celebrations could start.

BeebWolves secured promotion back to the Championship after earning victory against 10-man Crewe. Kevin McDonald's deflected shot and Dave Edwards's strike ensured Wolves bounced back at the first attempt following their relegation last May. With four games remaining Kenny Jackett's side also know that two more wins

will secure the League One title. Crewe had striker Chuks Aneke sent off on the stroke of half-time for elbowing Richard Stearman. They remain in the bottom four but are level on points with Carlisle and Tranmere above them.

Keeping it cleanWolves' clean sheet was their 24th of the season - a new club record in the league.

Jackett's men led at the break thanks to McDonald's fortuitous strike but it was well deserved.Earlier Bakary Sako's free-kick and Michael Jacobs's curling strike forced decent saves from Crewe keeper Ben Garratt.Crewe's task was made harder by Aneke's dismissal and with a man advantage Wolves pushed for a second, with Sako seeing his strike deflected into the side netting.Edwards also went close when his strike from distance was well saved by Garratt.But the Wales international midfielder was successful a few moments later, finding the net with a superb strike on the turn to double Wolves' lead.Carl Ikeme was rarely tested in the Wolves goal other than a save from an Uche Ikpeazu effort as he earned their 24th clean sheet of the season - a club record in the league.Wolves' victory also takes them to 93 points - a new club record for points in a season, beating the 92 that they picked up in winning Division Three in 1988-89.

Crewe captain Abdul Osman is sidelined for the visit of promotion-chasing Wolves, following a knee injury suffered for the under-21s on Monday. Brad Inman, Crewe's matchwinner at Crawley last week, and George Evans are pushing to start, while teenage striker Max Clayton is fully fit after four months out with a broken ankle.

Leaders Wolves will be promoted to the Championship if they beat the Alex. They are hopeful of including James Henry and Matt Doherty in their squad. Midfielder Henry (groin) missed last Saturday's 2-0 win over Peterborough, while full-back Doherty (hamstring) has been sidelined for the last four League One games. But, even if the pair report fit, boss Kenny Jackett may decide to name the same side that beat Posh to move to the brink of promotion back to the Championship.

Crewe boss Steve Davis, a boyhood Wolves fan, was interviewed for the managerial vacancy at Molineux last summer. Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke: "We will monitor Max Clayton and see what impact he can make for us in the remaining few games. He has joined in training this week. And we will have to see how he does going forward. But we can't expect too much too soon and rely on Max to come back and save the day. It doesn't always work like that because he has been out a long time. What will be unfair on him is to hold him up as some sort of saviour. It was the same when Mathias Pogba came back from injury."Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett: "I think everyone will forgive me for not looking at that big picture right now. We have got to get ourselves over the line and get promotion. That is the number one priority. At present it's one step at a time. All my focus at the moment is the next game to try and stay within my process. Our celebrations would be at the conclusion. It would leave a bitter taste in our mouths if we got there and then fell away and accepted second."

Ups and downsWolves will be promoted if they win at Gresty Road, following Rotherham's 0-0 draw with Bradford on Friday.Victory for Crewe could lift them out of the League One bottom three, but defeat might leave them as low as second-bottom.

Wolves took another huge step towards promotion after a routine 2-0 win against Peterborough.Goals from Danny Batth (47) – his first of the season – and Dave Edwards (68) put Kenny Jackett’s side up to 90 points, 12 clear of Rotherham in third after they won 4-3 at Gillingham.

It me

ans Wolves still need seven points to be mathematically sure of a return to the Championship. But in a dominant second-half display, Wolves could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty as Bakary Sako’s 73rd-minute spot kick hit the top of the bar, while Posh keeper Bobby Olejnik made fine saves to keep out Sako in the first half and Nouha Dicko and Sam Ricketts in the second. A third club record went Wolves’ way too as the shutout equalled the 23 achieved in 1923-24, to add to their new milestone of nine consecutive wins and most away victories, 14. Jackett made three changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Stevenage on Tuesday night. Jack Price, Sako and Dicko replaced James Henry, Liam McAlinden and Leon Clarke. Sako was back from a toe injury that kept him out of the last two games, while Henry missed out after lasting just 11 minutes in midweek due to a groin problem that is expected to have healed for next Saturday’s trip to Crewe. Posh, who featured former Wolves right-back Mark Little, kicked off attacking the South Bank and they played a stubborn part in first half shaded by the home side. For all Wolves’ dominant possession, they created only two openings as Posh’s defence held firm. The first came in the 14th minute when Dicko was crowded out on the right hand side of the box and Sako steamed in for a fiercely-hit low drive that was palmed away by Olejnik. The only other real chance of the first period for Wolves came 10 minutes later when Michael Jacobs tried to find the top corner from 25 yards and was inches away with a curling shot. Posh threatened on 28 when Little put through Conor Washington and the striker rounded keeper Carl Ikeme but was driven wide and could only cross into the box and Wolves held firm. Wolves had the excellent Richard Stearman to thank for repelling the visitors’ other opening when after Grant McCann’s free kick hit the defensive wall, the former Leicester stopper threw himself in front of Danny Swanson's shot that seemed to be heading for the top corner. If Wolves struggled to break through Posh’s defence in the first half, they did it in double-quick time at the start of the second after the visitors brought on Lloyd Isgrove for Swanson at half-time. Batth rose with a towering header from Sam Ricketts’s cross from a short corner taken by Jacobs to break the deadlock. The defender was booked for lifting up his shirt in celebration with fans. But the goal seemed to allow Wolves to step up a gear and they created several more chances. Dicko outpaced the defence before forcing Bobby Olejnik into a fine save to tip away. The former Villa youth shotstopper then flung himself to his left to keep out Ricketts’s left-foot shot in the 62nd minute after the captain dispossessed Nathaniel Knight-Percival, who replaced Josh Payne on 55, on the touchline and cut inside. Posh’s first chance came four minutes later when Britt Assombalonga climbed above Scott Golbourne from Tommy Rowe’s deep cross but headed a foot over. Two minutes later Posh were regretting the miss as Wolves doubled their lead when Edwards bundled home left-footed after Olejnik produced a tremendous save to keep out a vicious free kick from Sako on the left. Dicko appealed in vain for a penalty on 70 when he ran across Michael Bostwick and fell to the ground. But two minutes later the same combination worked as Wolves were awarded a spot kick as Dicko fell over Bostwick’s outstretched leg as he went round him. Sako could only blaze his kick on top of the bar and over though to prevent Wolves going three goals ahead. It was all Wolves but Ikeme was forced into action in the 81st minute with a fine stop to his left to keep out Bostwick’s drive. But Wolves had little trouble seeing out the rest of the game as they took another giant step towards promotion.

BeebLeague One leaders Wolves moved a step closer towards promotion with victory over play-off hopefuls Peterborough.The hosts saw Bakary Sako come close early on, while Posh's Conor Washington rounded the keeper but was forced wide.Just after the break, Danny Batth's superb header from Sam Ricketts' cross put Wolves ahead, before Sako's free-kick was tapped in by Dave Edwards.Sako then smashed against the bar from the penalty spot after Nouha Dicko was felled by Michael Bostwick.Bostwick almost atoned for giving away the spot-kick, but his thunderous strike was tipped around the post by Carl Ikeme as the Molineux outfit extended their unbeaten run to five.The victory could have been more emphatic had Boro keeper Bobby Olejnik not kept out Ricketts' fantastic effort at 1-0.But it means Kenny Jackett's side are six points clear of second-placed Brentford and 12 clear of Rotherham, who both have a game in hand.Meanwhile Peterborough maintain the final play-off berth, three points ahead of closest rivals MK Dons, with a game in hand.Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:Play media

"They were the better team than us today, we were nowhere near them. You have to give them credit for that, that's why they're top of the league and that's why they'll probably go on and win the league. We made it easy for them. It was probably one of the more comfortable days they've had so that's a huge disappointment because we came here expecting to give them a game and on our top form we would have. I think the key to the game is, and it always will be for us, if you keep giving the ball back to the opposition, you're not going to win. I think I could have made changes (to the selection) and I didn't, I trusted them after Wednesday, which was an excellent performance, and like I say, I've got broad enough shoulders to take that responsibility."LINEUP, BOOKINGS (3) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)Wolverhampton Wanderers13 Ikeme18 Ricketts26 Golbourne11 McDonald06 Batth Booked05 Stearman27 Jacobs04 Edwards (Evans - 92' )40 Dicko (Clarke - 89' )19 Price10 Sako (McAlinden - 84' )Substitutes03 Elokobi09 Clarke14 Evans20 McAlinden23 Ebanks-Landell31 McCarey47 BancessiPeterborough United01 Olejnik31 Little14 Rowe11 McCann Booked04 Brisley06 Bostwick07 Swanson (Isgrove - 46' )08 Payne (Knight-Percival - 55' Booked )09 Assombalonga24 Washington36 McQuoid (Ajose - 52' )Substitutes05 Baldwin12 Vassell13 Day15 Anderson20 Knight-Percival21 Ajose37 IsgroveRef: James LiningtonAtt: 23,204MATCH STATSPossession43%57%90minsWolverhampton WanderersPeterborough UnitedShots145On target72Corners64Fouls818Live Text Commentary

League One leaders Wolves are without injured midfielder James Henry for the visit of Peterborough United. Henry picked up a groin injury in the 0-0 midweek draw at Stevenage, but Bakary Sako (toe) and Matt Doherty (hamstring) are ready to return.

Play-off chasing Peterborough are set to be unchanged from the team that beat Colchester United on Wednesday night. Midfielder Joe Newell is still banned following his red card in last Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final victory.

Kenny Jackett's Wolves, who have lost once in 15 matches, start the day six points clear of second-placed Brentford, who have a game in hand, but 11 clear of third-placed Leyton Orient.

Sixth-placed Peterborough United are just four points clear of nearest rivals Swindon Town, but are looking resurgent again after two big wins in four days, and with the psychological advantage of having beaten Wolves when they met back in November. Posh, whose manager Darren Ferguson spent five years at Molineux after being signed by Graham Taylor from Man United in 1994, have won their last two meetings with Wolves.

Chris Day denied substitute Lee Evans in a relentless game that never reflected the top and bottom positions of the teams. Stevenage forced two fine saves from Carl Ikeme, who tipped over volleys from Jimmy Smith in the second half after saving the blushes of Kevin McDonald in the first after slicing a corner behind him to keep Wolves’ 22nd clean sheet of the season, one off the club record 23 in 1923-24. Jackett made two changes to the side that beat Milton Keynes Dons, with the team that finished that game, with Clarke and Saturday’s matchwinner Liam McAlinden in the starting line-up at the expense of Jack Price and Nouha Dicko, who dropped to the bench. McAlinden was making his first League start for the club and enjoyed a lively first half. But it was only after Wolves were disrupted by an early injury to James Henry, who signalled he was struggling early on and had treatment, only to be forced off with just 11 minutes on the clock. Dicko didn’t have long to wait to re-appear as he was Henry’s replacement in a change that initially saw McAlinden switch to wide left, and the inspired Michael Jacobs from left to wide right. The whole game was played at a relentless pace with the hosts determined to try to hassle Wolves out of their stride at every opportunity. But thankfully for the visitors, the pitch was far batter than it was on Saturday and at Crawley when they were beaten 2-1 two weeks ago, and they were able to pass it on a slick surface. Wolves also looked to have a lot more energy than they did a fortnight ago, but struggled in front of goal, while there were a string of shots blocked, particularly in the second half. Despite the huge effort from both teams, chances were thin on the ground in the first half however. Wolves had a sight of goal in the 22nd minute when McAlinden and Dicko combined to free Clarke, but his toe-poked shot lacked the power required and keeper Chris Day scampered across his goal to collect. Despite the determination of Stevenage to get into their faces, the visitors started to enjoy more possession as the half wore on, with McAlinden in particular finding pockets of space in which to run into. It was Clarke however who was also the beneficiary of Wolves’ only real opportunity of the first period when he was presented with a free header at the far post on the half hour. But the burly striker, leaning back, could only nod inches wide after Dicko’s fiercely-hit cross had been parried by Day. Wolves had a scare on 39 – and it was all of their own doing. Defending Smith’s low corner, McDonald attempted to hook the ball clear at the near post, but only succeeded in slicing it dangerously behind him. It forced Ikeme to make a diving save to claw the ball away and save his blushes. Wolves, who switched to 4-3-3 at the restart with Dicko and McAlinden wide either side of Clarke, made a determined start to the second half as they probed for a breakthrough. Dicko and McAlinden had shots blocked but Wolves were having trouble breaking down a resolute defence superbly marshalled by their captain and centre-back Jon Ashton. In fact it was Stevenage who threatened next, on the break as Francoi Zoko’s pass gave Smith a sight of goal and he got a yard on Danny Batth and saw an angled volley tipped over by Ikeme on the hour. More Wolves pressure saw Jacobs put Clarke clean through on 71, but he again failed to produce a clinical finish as he sidefooted too close to Day for the save. Stevenage broke again two minutes later and Smith was again the man to benefit from Zoko’s touch that put him in but he sidefooted a volley over with only Ikeme to beat. Wolves brought on Evans for McAlinden on 73 in a bid to break Stevenage down and he went desperately close in the 80th minute when his first-time shot forced a fine reflex stop from Day after Jacobs found McDonald for a cross. Evans had a half chance for a spectacular winner on the stroke of the end of normal when he lashed over a full-blooded volley after sam Ricketts’s free kick had been headed away. But Wolves had to settle for a draw, which was probably a fair result against such determined opposition fighting for their lives.

Bottom side Stevenage could be without keeper Steve Arnold with a knee injury.Dean Parrett (cruciate) and Roarie Deacon (ankle) are out for the rest of the season, while Michael Doughty completes a two-match ban.

Wolves will assess the fitness of Bakary Sako, who is having pain-killing injections in his foot, and Matt Doherty (hamstring) is also a doubt.Victory for Wolves would extend their lead over third-placed Leyton Orient to 13 points with just six games left.